Chapter 56: Global Superstar
It wasn’t long before the song exploded across the internet.
First China.
Then Asia.
Then the rest of the world.
Every platform was flooded with videos.
Reaction videos.
Covers.
Edits.
Within hours, the song had climbed to the very top of the global charts.
It spread like wildfire.
Inside the studio, Chu Zijin sat staring at her phone.
Her hands trembled.
Every refresh showed a bigger number.
More views.
More streams.
More comments.
More praise.
Then finally...
Tears began rolling down her cheeks.
"My dream..."
She whispered.
"My dream actually came true..."
For as long as she could remember, she had wanted to become a real singer.
Not a small singer.
Not an internet celebrity.
A true singer.
Someone whose music could reach people across the world.
And now she had done it.
Unable to control herself, Chu Zijin suddenly threw herself forward and hugged Shen Tian.
At that exact moment, Shen Tian was drinking water.
He nearly spat it out.
"Thank you."
"Thank you."
"Thank you..."
Chu Zijin repeated over and over.
Her voice trembled.
She wasn’t thanking him for just the song.
She was thanking him for changing her life.
For giving her an opportunity she would never have had otherwise.
The admiration in her eyes became even deeper.
Shen Tian simply smiled and patted her head.
"Don’t thank me. You were the one who worked hard. Without your talent, none of this would’ve happened."
Chu Zijin bit her lip.
His words only made her more emotional.
After all, she knew the truth.
Without Shen Tian, she would still be chasing her dream.
Not living it.
Wiping away her tears, she nodded heavily.
"Um!"
A bright smile appeared on her face.
One filled with happiness.
One filled with gratitude.
And perhaps...
Something more.
. . .
By the end of the school day, Chu Fang was completely devastated.
His mind had been somewhere else the entire time.
So much so that he had somehow written that:
10 × 10 = 0
Even Chu Luoshen had stared at the answer for a few seconds.
Then stared at her little brother.
Then stared at the answer again.
She genuinely wanted to know how he had managed it.
At this point, even the system was too embarrassed to comment.
Chu Fang sat at his desk, looking as if his entire world had collapsed.
Chu Luoshen walked over and lightly patted his head.
"Little Fang, I’ll take you home."
Chu Fang weakly nodded.
Then Chu Luoshen smiled.
"Oh, and all your sisters are coming over tonight."
His head instantly shot up.
"What?"
"Your big sister Chu Zijin became famous. We’re celebrating tonight. Everyone’s coming over for a barbecue."
The depression vanished instantly.
Like it had never existed.
"PERFECT!"
Chu Fang nearly jumped out of his chair.
"I get to see all my big sisters!"
A huge grin spread across his face.
Chu Luoshen couldn’t help but smile.
Honestly, her little brother adored his sisters more than anything.
The two left the classroom together.
As they walked home hand in hand, the system suddenly spoke.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations, Host.]
[You have obtained: Master Cook.]
[The Host now possesses culinary skills comparable to the world’s greatest chefs.]
Chu Fang froze.
Then his eyes widened.
Then widened even more.
A huge smile appeared on his face.
"I can show off tonight!"
He practically shouted it.
"What was that?"
Chu Luoshen looked down at him curiously.
Chu Fang immediately shook his head.
"Nothing!"
His smile somehow became even bigger.
Tonight.
Tonight was his chance.
He would cook.
His sisters would be amazed.
They would praise him.
Maybe they’d even forget all about that Shen Tian guy.
Thinking about it, Chu Fang became excited again.
Chu Luoshen looked at her little brother suspiciously.
Something felt strange today.
Very strange.
First she kept hearing random voices.
Then her little brother started smiling at absolutely nothing.
After a moment, she sighed.
. . .
"We’ve arrived!"
Chu Luoshen stepped out of the car and stretched slightly.
The moment Chu Fang saw all the cars parked around, he practically launched himself out of the vehicle.
"BIG SISTERS!"
He ran inside at full speed.
Right past his father and mother, who had opened the door to greet them.
"Slow down!" Chu Liwei called out.
Chu Fang ignored him completely.
Behind him, Chu Luoshen walked over and gave her parents a hug.
"It’s been a while."
She smiled.
"Is everyone already here?"
"Yep."
Chu Liwei nodded.
"Everyone’s here."
"We’re just waiting for the main girl herself."
A proud smile appeared on his face.
Nothing made him happier than seeing all of his daughters gathered together again.
It reminded him of simpler times.
"Great, let’s head inside."
The moment Chu Luoshen entered the living room, she found Chu Fang surrounded by two of his sisters.
Chu Mei.
Chu Chuchu.
Both were stunning women in their own right and highly successful in their respective fields.
Chu Fang was enjoying every second of their attention.
[I’M THE LUCKIEST LITTLE BROTHER ALIVE!]
The sudden voice caused Chu Mei and Chu Chuchu to pause.
The two sisters exchanged a glance.
Then looked at Chu Fang.
Then looked away.
Maybe they were hearing things.
It wasn’t the first time.
"Little Fang, have you been behaving?"
Chu Mei asked.
"Of course!"
Chu Fang puffed out his chest proudly.
"I’ve been the best student in my class!"
Nobody believed him.
Not even Chu Luoshen.
The conversation continued as Chu Fang happily basked in his sisters’ affection.
At this moment, he felt as if life were perfect.
Then...
Ding dong.
The doorbell rang.
Everyone looked toward the entrance.
Chu Liwei smiled.
"It seems the main girl has arrived!"
Immediately, the entire room became excited.
Especially Chu Fang.
His eyes practically sparkled.
"Big Sister Zijin!"
He jumped off the couch.
The door opened.
Standing there was Chu Zijin.
The newest global superstar.
The moment everyone saw her, smiles appeared on their faces.
"Welcome home!"
"Congratulations!"
"Big Sister!"
Chu Fang was already running toward her for a hug.
Then...
He froze.
A smile slowly disappeared from his face.
Because a second figure stepped through the doorway.
Tall.
Handsome.
Relaxed.
The man casually stood behind Chu Zijin with one hand in his pocket.
Looking down at him.
Smirking.
Shen Tian.
The entire home suddenly became very quiet.
Chu Fang stared.
Shen Tian stared back.
For a few seconds, neither spoke.
Then Shen Tian raised a hand.
"Yo."
Chu Fang felt something inside him crack.
A giant red warning light seemed to flash inside his head.
DANGER! DANGER! DANGER!
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(Author Note: IMPORTANT!)
JUNE SPECIAL EVENT!!!
If we can push Golden Tickets and Power Stones past 1,000, there’ll be a HUGE surprise for all readers at the end of the month!
Super Gifts will also help push us toward the goal as well!
Thank you all for the insane support!